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WASHINGTON – Senator Maggie Hassan issued the following statement today after President Trump forced Attorney General Jeff Sessions to resign and appointed Matthew Whitaker to serve as acting Attorney General:

“I am deeply concerned that President Trump removed Attorney General Jeff Sessions from office and selected Matthew Whitaker to serve as acting Attorney General and assume responsibility for overseeing Special Counsel Mueller’s investigation. Neither the President nor his appointees should interfere with the Special Counsel’s investigation – which has already resulted in indictments or guilty pleas of three companies and 32 people, including four senior leaders in the President’s campaign and Administration. The investigation must be allowed to continue and to follow the facts wherever they may lead.

“Mr. Whitaker’s comments that support defunding and restricting the Special Counsel’s investigation are extremely troubling and demonstrate that he is not suited to provide neutral oversight of the investigation. As a result, acting Attorney General Whitaker should recuse himself from overseeing the investigation. Now more than ever, Republicans must remember that their duty is to the Constitution and the American people, not the leader of their party, and they should join us in passing bipartisan legislation to protect the Special Counsel.”